Turf plug cutter



INVENTQ R L. Killer ATTORNEY/S April 14, 1959 H. L. MILLER 2,381,844

TURF PLUG CUTTER f Filed oct. e, 1955 4 sheets-sheet 2 4%'ii5 FROM COMPRESSOR 41e /1 v// 24* e /46 Henry L /YiZZez' BY y ATroRNEY April 14,` 1959 H. L. MILLER 2,881,844

- TURF PLUG CUTTER Filed oct. 6, 1955 l 4sheets-sheet s v414 un;

l\* l 4 o le .edf/lz /46 /6 1 w INVENTOR. MEDIUM ET solL TIP 1707117 Milet s 5. i. BY 16a l l v mf( 16a 16g l ATTORNEKS' April 14, 1959 H. MILLER 2,881,844- TURF PLUG CUTTER Filed Oct. 6, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 POWER SOURCE INVENT OR 'BYI United States Patent C TURF PLUG CUTTER Harry L. Miller, Long Branch, NJ. Application October 6, 1955, Serial No. 538,822

Claims. ('Cl. 172-22) This invention relates to machines for cutting plugs of turf for transplanting to establish new growths of turf without the necessity of planting seed. Many new grasses recently developed have become valuable turf grasses for lawns or the like =but do not produce seeds by which they can be propagated. To establish new lawns of such grasses, it is necessary that an established growth be cut into relatively small plugs for propagation by transplanting. The present invention relates to a machine for rapidly and economically cutting, removing and collecting such plugs from a plot of established turf.

In general, the machine of the present invention consists of a wheeled carriage upon which a vertically reciprocable tubular plug cutter is mounted. The machine is provided with power means for cyclically driving the cutter into the turf to remove a plug therefrom and for advancing the carriage a predetermined distance during the upstroke of the cutter to position the cutterl at a new location for cutting the next plug. The means for advancing the carriage, in one form, comprises a connection between the reciprocating cutter and at least one of the carriage wheels so that the upstroke of the cutter itself actually provides power for advancing the carriage. In another form the carriage is provided with an engine or the like to propel the same over the turf, and coordinating means control operation of the cutter to produce a down stroke after the carriage has moved a predetermined distance. In each form a tubular cutter is hollow throughout its height and the plugs cut thereby are forced upwardly through the tubular cutter to be discharged from the upper end thereof and collected in a convenient receiver. The invention further includes novel removable cutter tips for the lower end of the reciprocating member, each specially designed for soils of different moisture content. The invention further includes novel means whereby the vertical strokes of the cutter member actuate control means for the power device driving the cutter in reciprocation and further control means to regulate the rate of the upstroke to thereby control the over-all frequency of operation of the cutter.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a turf plug cutter wherein the cutting of the plugs and movement of the cutter over the turf are coordinated whereby plugs are cut at predetermined spaced intervals.

Another object of this invention is to provide a turf plug cutter arranged to elevate and deliver the cut plugs to a convenient collection position.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a vertically reeiprocable plug cutter having means thereon for regulating the period of reciprocation whereby to predetermine the rate of operation.

A further object of this invention is to provide a turf plug cutter having interchangeable cutter tips for use in different soils.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a turf plug cutter which is simple in construction, economical to build and perfectly reliable in operation.

Still further objects and advantages will become apice parent to those skilled in the art as the description proceeds in connection with the accompanying drawings,l wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view, with parts broken away, of one form of plug cutter embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view of the machine of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the machine of Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along the line 4 4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially along the broken line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a cutter tip taken along the line 6 6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the circuits for controlling the fluid motor and showing the control valve in vertical section.

Figs. 8 and 9 are, respectively, vertical sectional views through different forms of cutter tips employed with the machine of the present invention; and

Fig. 10 is a side elevational view, with parts broken away, illustrating a different embodiment of the invention.

Referring rst to Figs. 3 and 4, the machine is provided with a carriage frame having longitudinal frame members 2 and transverse frame members 4 rigidly secured to the longitudinal members. The frame members may take any desired form but are preferably of angle iron construction as shown. At the forward end of the frame the machine is provided with a transverse axle 6 and suitable supporting wheels 8 while at the rear end of the frame the machine is provided with side plates 10 depending therefrom and in which an axle shaft 12 is rotatably supported by means of suitable bearings (not shown). A pair of roller-like wheels 14 are carried by the shaft 12 and at least one of the rollers is rigidly xed to the shaft. Each roller wheel 14 is provided with a circumferential series of outwardly extending cylindrical lugs 16 to provide adequate traction for propelling the carriage over the turf.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 5, the axle 12 projects laterally from one side of the carriage and is provided with a suitable one-way clutch 18 comprising a portion xed to the shaft 12 and an outer annular portion 20. Sprag elements 22, of a well-known type, are interposed between the outer member 20 of the one-way clutch and the portion carried by shaft 12 whereby rotation of the member 20 in one direction imparts torque to the shaft 12 but rotation thereof in the other direction permits the member to rotate freely without transmitting torque to the shaft. A suitable lever 24 is xed to the outer member 20 for a purpose to be described later.

Referring again to Figs. 3 and 4, upwardly extending angle members 26 are fixed to transverse members 4 of the carriage frame and define a box-like vertical guiding structure. A pair of transverse plates 28 (see also Fig. 5) are ixed within the framework dened by members 26 and are each provided with a central circular opening 30. The openings 30 define guide means for a vertically reciprocating tubular cutter member 32. The t tubular member 32 is guided by the aligned openings'` 30 for vertical reciprocation and has an internal passageway 34 of'a size slightly larger than the desired diameter` of the plugs to be cut. The upper end of the memberA 32 is cut away at one side to define a lateral opening 36 and an upwardly facing shoulder 38. A portion 40 of the member 32 extends upwardly a substantial distance above the shoulder 38 and defines a head portion secured to a tting 42. The fitting 42 is in turn secured to the,

lowermost` end of a piston rod 44 havingv a piston 46 thereon slidable in a vertical cylinder 48 through a lower packing gland 50. The cylinder 48 is secured to a bracket plate 52 which is in turn xedly mounted at the upper ends of the vertical frame members 26. A plate 54 (Fig. 3) is secured to one side of the framework defined by vertical members 26 and supports a control valve 56. The control valve 56 is provided with .an inlet fitting 58 to which a compressed air line 60 is connected. The air line 60 supplies compressed air to the inlet of the valve 56 from any suitable source (not shown). If desired, an oiling device 62 may be interposed in the air line 60 and may be of any well-known form, whereby lubricating oil is periodically introduced into the air stream to provide lubrication for the moving parts of' the valve and iluid motor. The valve 56 is also provided with means defining vent passageways 64 and 66 and means defining outlet ports 68 and 70. The outlet port 68 yis connected through conduit 72 to a port 74 (Fig. 5)

in cylinder 48V below the piston 46. Valve outlet port' 70 is connected, through conduit 76, to a port 78 in cylinder.48 above the piston 46. l I

Referring now to Fig. 7, wherein the valve 56 is shown in section, a movable valve member 80 is movable in the valve 56 to selectively provide communication Vbetween the inlet 58 and outlet 68 and thence to the cylinder 48 below piston 46 while venting the cylinder 48 through conduit 76 and valve outlet 70 and to the Vent'passageway 66. The movable valve element 80 provides the described communication with the cylinder 48 when the valve member is in its lowermost position.

ment of the valve member 80 upwardly to an upper position will provide communication from the pressure inlet 58 lthrough the conduit 76 to the space above the piston 46 and at the same time vent the space below the piston 46 through the valve to vent passageway 58. The valve shown is a conventional type of valve presently available on the market and need not be described in further detail. A regulating device comprising a manually operable valve 82 (Fig. 3) is mounted in the vent passageway 66 to selectively restrict that vent passageway the desired amount. By means of valve 82 the venting of the upper portion of cylinder 48 may be partially restricted to thereby reduce the speed of upward movement of the piston 46 when pressure is supplied to the cylinder therebelow.

Referring again to Fig. 7, a spring 84 housed in a cap 86 of valve 56 acts against the upper portion of the valve member 80 to normally holdthat valve member in its lowermost position. A solenoid 88 constitutes'a part of the valve 56 and is so arranged that, when energized, its armature 90 forces the valve member 80 upwardly against the action of spring 84. The solenoidV 88 is under the control lof a relay 92 which is also mounted` on the plate 54 previously described and which norslot 94 is of suicient length to accommodate the movement of pin 96 throughout the entire vertical stroke ofthe cutter member 32. Suitable control switches 98 and 100`are mounted on the plate 54 adjacent the ends of slot 94. Each switch is provided with an actuating finger 102 normally extending acrossthe path of movement of the pin 96 adjacent the ends of its stroke. The switches 98 and 100 are arranged in a circuit including the relay 92 whereby when the pin 96 reaches the lowermost extremity of its stroke and engages linger 102 of switch 98 the latter actuates the Arelay 92 to de-energize the solenoid 88 whereupon spring 84 moves valve member 80 downwardly to vent the upper portionof cylinder v It will be obvious from the structure shown in Fig. 7 that move-v uid pressure to move the cutter member 32 to the upper end of its stroke, during which time a holding circuit (not shown) in the relay holds its contacts out of their normal position.

When the pin 96 reaches the uppermost end of the stroke and engages linger 102 of switch 100, the switch acts to open the holdingcircuity and release the relay 92 to its normal condition to again energize solenoid 88 which moves valve member 80 upwardly to vent the lower portion of cylinder 48 and admit pressure to the upper end thereof. The piston 46 and cutter member 32 are then again driven downwardly-by fluid-pressure. The details of the electrical circuit and the holding circuit are not shown herein since those Ydetails form no vital part of the present invention and many alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art.

The machine illustrated also includes a guiding handle structure 104 secured to the carriage frame at 106 (Fig. 3). A suitable manually operated switch 108 is mounted on the handle structure 104 in a position to be readily accessible to the operator of the machine. The switch 108 is connected through suitable conductors 110 to the electrical circuit shown in Fig. 7 in series with the conductors energizing solenoid 88. Thus when the switch 108 is open'the relay 92 is incapable of energizing solenoid 88 whereupon the valve 80 is held in its lowermost position by spring 84 and the cutter member 32 is held stationary in its uppermost position. In that condition the relay 92 is in its norma position so that mere closing of the manual switch 108 energizes solenoid 88 and initiates a downward stroke of the piston 46 and cutter member 32. The cutter member 32 continues to reciprocate automati` cally as long as switch 108 remains closed.

Referring again to Fig. 5, the lever 24, previously described as being Xed to the one-way clutch member 20, is provided with an adjustable connector element 112 thereon which in turn is pivotally connected to a link 114. The link 114 is pivoted to the outer end of a crank arm 116 xed to an end of a rock shaft 118 journalled transversely on the carriage frame in suitable bearing blocks 120. A further crank arm 122 is fixed to the rock shaft 118 substantially medially thereof in fore-andaft alignment with the tubular cutter member 32. A rock link 124 is pivoted to the crank 122 adjacent the outer end thereof and serves as an anchor for one end of a tension spring 126 which has its other end anchored to a cross member 4 of the carriage frame, as clearly shown in the drawings. The rock link 124 also serves as an anchor for an end of a flexible chain 128 trained therefrom over a guide roller 130 mounted in suitable brackets 132 on the upright frame members 26. From the guide roller 130 the chain 128 extends vertically upwardly to where it is secured to the upper end of the head portion 40 of the cutter member 32. A tension spring 134 is secured to an intermediate portion of the chain 128 and extends upwardly therefrom to the upper end of the frame members 26 where it is secured thereto in any suitable manner. In Fig. 5 the tubular cutter member 32 is shown in full lines in its uppermost position, in which chain member 128 is taut and has caused rock shaft 118 to rock counterclockwise suiciently to extend tension spring 126 a substantial amount. As the cutter member 32 moves downwardly to its lowermost position, spring 126 takes up the chain 128 as it is released by the cutter member and at the same time rocks shaft 118 in a clockwise direction. Clockwise rotation of the shaft 118 acts through crank 116, link 114 and lever 24 to oscillate the latter to a lowermost position determined by complete contraction of spring 126. The downward movement of the tubular cutter 32 is of a magnitude greater than the clockwise movement of the upper end of crank arm 122 under the conditions just described so that chain 128 would be considerably slackened by the time the cutter member reaches its lowermost position.

The spring 134, however, maintains the chain 128 in a reasonably taut condition. The one-way clutch 118 previously described is so arranged that clockwise movement of the lever 24 does not impart rotation or torque to the shaft 12, but counterclockwise movement of the lever 24 (as seen in Fig. will impart torque and rotation to the shaft 12 and consequently to the roller wheelsA 14.

In its lowermost position the tubular cutter member 32 holds a cutter tip thereon (to be described later) in the ground a suicient distance to cut a turf plug of the required depth and at least a portion of the cutter tip remains below the surface of the ground during the initial portion of the upward movement of the cutter member. Forward movement of the carriage, therefore, should not take place until the cutter tip has been completely removed from the soil. From the structure previously described it is apparent that initial upward movement of the cutter member 32 merely takes up the slack in chain 128 and does not begin to apply tension thereto until the cutter tube has cleared the surface of the ground. Thereupon upward movement of the cutter member pulls chain 128 to oscillate rock shaft 118 and lever 24 in a counterclockwise direction. Such movement of lever 24 transmits driving torque through the one-way clutch 18 to the roller wheels 14 and thus imparts forward movement to the entire carriage to position the center of the cutter member forwardly of the position from which the preceding plug; was cut. Thus, upon automatic vertical reciprocation of the cutter member 32 the entire carriage is intermittently advanced a predetermined distance before the next downward stroke of the cutter member takes place and the carriage' remains stationary during the downward movement of the cutter member and during the initial portion of its subsequent upward movement.

As previously described, the cutter member 32 is provided with a vertical passageway 34 therethrough communicating with the lateral opening 36. A deector member 1'36 is mounted in the cutter member 32 to extend upwardly and laterally outwardly of the passageway 34 and overlying the upper end of passageway 34 in the manner clearly shown in Fig. 5. A plug-directing chute 138 of generally inverted U-shaped` construction is provided with side bands 140 loosely encircling and embracing the upwardly extending portion `40 of the cutter member and resting upon the upwardly directed shoulder 38. Thus the chute member 138 is held in place on the cutter member 32 against removal but is free to vibrate or jiggle as the cutter member reciprocates vertically. The chute member 138 is so positioned and directed that it guides plugs deposited therein laterally of the passageway 34 from whence they drop to a guiding chute 1'42 xedly mounted on the vertical frame members 26.

Suitable brackets or frame members 144 are welded or otherwise secured to the forward transverse frame member 4 and a rack or platform 146 is xedly mounted thereon. The platform 146 is provided for supporting a box 148 or other suitable container for receiving plugs delivered by the directing means or chute 142.

The lowermost end of the tubular cutter member 32 is provided with a threaded socket 150 adapted to receive a securing member 152. The securing member 152 is provided with an internal bore of the same diameteras the passageway 34 which is in alignment therewith when the securing means is lin place as shown. A plurality of cutter tips 154 are provided for the machine. Each cutter tip is of hollow cylindrical construction and provided with a peripheral flange 156 by which it may be removably secured to the lowermost end of the supporting means 152. Thus the supporting means 152 may be readily removed from cutter member 32 to facilitate changing the cutter tip 154 and thereafter replaced in the cutter member 32. The supporting means 152 may be adjusted longitudinally of the cutter member 32 to regulate the depth of penetration of the cutter tip 154 into the turf. The particular cutter tip 154 shown in Fig. 5 has an inside diameter equal to the bore through supporting means 152 and passage- 75 way 34. The lowermost end of the cutter tip 154, however, is thickened inwardly to provide an inwardly directed annular rib 158 having an upwardly facingshoul'- der 160 therein.v The cutting edge 162 of the cutter tip of Fig. 5 is defined by the intersection of the outer cylindrical surface of the cutter tip and an inner bevelled surface 164. The particular construction therein shown is intended for use in rather wet soil. With the cutting edge coincident with the outer cutting periphery of the tip, maximum radial compression of the plug occurs during the cutting operation in forcing the plug past the rib 158. The shoulder 160 then acts to support the cut plug inside the tubular cutter 32 and the next plug cut by the device lifts the previously cut plug upwardly in the larger diameter portion of the passageway. Thus a column of plugs is formed in the passageway up to and through the upper end thereof. Upward movement of the column of plugs caused by cutting subsequent plugs moves the column upwardly to engage the top plug with the deector 136, and that plug is pushed by the deector laterally through the opening 36 onto the chute 138 and thus through the directing chute 142 to the receiver 148.

Fig. 8 shows a form of cutter tip 154 in which the cutting edge is coincident with the inner surfacel of the tip portion so that substantially no compression of the plug takes place while it is being cut. This form of tip is particularly well adapted for cutting plugs from dry soil.

Fig. 9 shows a still further form of cutter tip wherein the cutting edge 162 is defined by the intersection of inner and outer bevelled surfaces 166- and 168. In this form the cutting edge is intermediate the inner and outer surfaces of the tip and only partially compresses the plug. This form is particularly well adapted for cutting plugs in medium wet soil.

The cylindrical lugs 16 secured to the periphery of the roller wheels 14 are of a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the cutter tips 154 and are peripherally spaced on their respective wheels 14 distances equal to the distance through which the carriage is advanced at each stroke of the cutter member 32. The lugs 16 provide adequate tractionv for advance of the carriage by engagement with the surface of the turf when the first row of plugs is being cut. After a row of plugs has been cut from a given area, a row of holes remains in the turf. In cutting the next adjacent row of plugs, the carriage may be positioned and moved along such a pathk that the lugs 16 on at least one of the roller wheels enters the openings left when cutting the first row of plugs to thereby give positive traction to the machine and minimize the danger of damaging the turf thereadjacent. While a Specific form of roller wheel having lugs is shown, it is to be understood that other forms of traction device may be employed with equal facility. For example, one or more traction devices having endless treads may be used.

The pneumatic motor heretofore described as being provided for operating the tubular cutter is so arranged that the weight of the tubular cutter 32 and the piston 46 assist downward movement of the mechanism. The fluid pressure applied to the top of the piston insures an extremely rapid and sharp downward stroke to insure a `clean cut without mere destruction of the plug material. It is desirable that a sharp rapid downward stroke be made at all times. However, it is not necessary that the upward stroke be so rapid. In fact, it is desirable that the upward stroke consume more time than the downward stroke to thus relieve the carriage advancing mechanism of a substantial shock load and to prevent undue vibration of the parts and particularly the delivery chute 138 and plugs supported thereby. By regulating the extent of the opgening in vent passageway 66 by means of the regulatorvalve 82 previously dew that `shown in Figs. 1 through 7, the mechanism is mounted on the chassis of a self-propelled vehicle 200. The vehicle may be provided with the usual engine 202 which may also drive an air compressor (not shown) to maintain a supply of compressed air in a tank 204 for ,operationof the pneumatic motor. The engine 202 also supplies motive power through a drive shaft 206 to one r more wheels 208 of the vehicle. It is contemplated that the embodiment shown in Fig. 10 be driven at a substantially constant rate over the turf, although a relatively low rate of yspeed is desirable. Since the vertical reciprocations of the cutter member 32 are governed by the operation of the switches and valves alone it is necessary that some means be provided to properly time the operation of the cutter to the advance of the vehicle. It Will be remembered that the mechanism previously described includes an upper control switch 100, actuation of which initiates the downward stroke of the cutter member. In the embodiment of Fig. l0 a further timing control device 209 is provided and consists merely of a switch in series with the switch 100 so that switch 100 will be incapable of energizing solenoid 88 unless switch 209 is closed. Switch v209 is. mounted adjacent a controlvcam 210 fixed to one of the wheels 208 or to drive axle 212.

The cam 210 is provided with projections 214 spaced' apart a distance corresponding to the desired spacing between the cut plugs. Thus, the vehicle 200 may advance at any particular speed and successive downward strokes of the cutter member 32 will alwaystake place a predetermined distance apart. The vehicle 200 also provides storage space for eXtra boxes or receivers 148.

While a limited number of modifications of the invention are shown and described herein, it is to be understood that they are merely illustrative of the principles f position, solenoid means for moving said valve to a posisure to one side or the other of said piston, means nor-' mally urging said valve to a position to admit pressure below said piston to hold said cutter member in its upper tion to admit pressure to said motor to drive said cutter member downwardly, a manually actuable switch in circuit with said solenoid to initially energize said solenoid,

` and switches on said frame actuable by said cutter mem# i ber at the ends of its stroke to alternately energize and de-energize said solenoid.

2. In a turf plug cutter, a frame having thereon a vertically disposed tubular member mounted for rectifacing annular cutting edge, the inner diameter of the portion of said cutter tip adjacent said cutting edge being 'less than the inner diameter of the remainder of said cutting tip, and an upwardly facing annular shoulder at the inner terminus of said portion.

3. A device as dened in claim 2 wherein said cutting edge is defined by the intersection of the inner cylindrical f surface of said portion and an outer bevelled surface. t

4. A device as defined in claim 2 wherein said cutting edge is defined by the intersection of the outer cylindrical surface of said portion and an inner bevelled surface.

v5. A device as defined in claim 2 wherein said cutting hedge isfdetined by the intersection of inner and outer of the invention, which is not limited thereto. It is contemplated that the invention encompass all modifications falling fairly within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a turf plug cutter; a frame, a vertically reciprocable tubular cutter member on said frame, a fluid motor on said frame and having a piston connected to said tubular cutter member for reciprocating the same, a valve on said frame for selectively admitting uid pres- ,tre

1,368,363 Simmons Feb. 15, 1921 1,630,988 Tyler May 31, 1927 1,982,749 Leeberg n Dec. 4, 193,4 2,068,828 Tustain Jan. 26, 1937 y 2,236,562 Brandes Apr. 1, 1941z 2,614,477 Habenicht l Oct. 21, 1952 2,638,043 Ferguson et al. May 12, 1953 2,638,831 Ferguson-et al. May 19, 1953 2,686,690 Kushnir Aug. 17, 1954 y2,702,502 Rogneby Feb. 22, 1955 2,800,066 Cohrs et al. n July 23, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 143,451 Australia Sept. 17, 1951 435,406 Great Britain Sept. 23, 1935 497,277 Great Britain aa- 1 Dec. 15, 1938 bevelled surfaces at the lower end of said portion.

I References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

